Mythical Creature Series: Ah-JiangChapter 9

Edited by Yummers

The person’s surname was Zhao and named Zheng, he came from the northern region. There were two personal servant boys and an uncertain number of servants that followed him. He was given an order by a senior member of his family to come here with the precise task of looking for Official Zhang of An Ling. pPqlgX

Constable Shi returned the hand bow. “I just happened to be working at the Yamen, if this brother doesn’t mind, I can lead the way.”

“That would be great, many thanks to this brother!” When that person smiled, it resembled Constable Shi’s smile as well. There was a deep dimple on his right cheek that caused him to appear rather friendly.

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

Zhao Zheng invited them to ride in his cart with him. Although his carts looked plain on the outside, the inside was excellent for one to relax in. The little kids peered around curiously. Good thing their mothers had taught them manners, so none of them were seen to be touching anything.

It wasn’t clear if the Master wanted to show respect or something of the sort, but he specifically sat in the same cart as Constable Shi. The two chatted a little and realized how similar they looked to each other now that they were this close. The only exception was that since Zhao Zheng seemed to have stayed indoors most of his life, his skin was fairer than the Head Constable’s. Shi Tou took notice of the calluses on the other’s hands; remembering his fast and steady steps from earlier, he understood. The other knew martial arts and wasn’t bad at it either, but the servants by his side had even higher martial skills. Even if they were to change their outfits, it wasn’t hard to tell just by the looks in their eyes that they weren’t those common martial artists of Jiang Hu. i2pKIh

“Uncle Shi, this person looks so much like you,” the little girl spoke softly in Shi Tou’s arms as she pulled on a strand of fallen hair and stared at Zhao Zheng.

“Nannan, don’t speak nonsense,” Constable Shi scolded quickly in a low voice. He knew that Zhan Zheng definitely wasn’t just a normal citizen. Though that person seemed friendly and generous on the surface, a powerful and elegant aura always seeped from his actions. The few times where he used honorifics, the other had accepted them pleasantly. He must’ve been used to others always fawning upon him. His accent also sounded like he was from the North and to say that he was here looking for Official Zhang…this person probably came from the Capital.

“Kids don’t think before rushing out their words, no need to take that comment to heart, this brother.” He bowed with a palm over a fist again as he smiled apologetically.

Zhao Zheng waved his hand generously before looking at the five kids beside Constable Shi with interests. He asked, “Are they all Brother Shi’s children?”

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“Oh no no, they are the kids of my Yamen brothers, I couldn’t have such blessings.”

“Oh?” Zhao Zheng quirked up a brow and closed his fan gracefully. “Is Brother Shi still unmarried?”

“That…” Constable Shi seemed like he was having trouble voicing this, but Nannan in his arms stole the opportunity to answer, “He’s married, he’s married, Uncle Shi’s married to our River Goddess!”

Zhao Zheng couldn’t help but be shocked by the information.“River Goddess?” JmuEgV

So Shi Tou could only force himself to speak of the matter in brief details. After listening, Zhao Zheng took a while to sigh. With the stick of his fan facing the table, he shook his head and said, “That certainly is…I did not think that there would be such a tradition here. Brother Shi, it must have been hard on you.”

“How could that be so, for the River God…dess to be interested in me was also a blessing to me.” The Head Constable laughed with a scatter-brained type of stupidness.

For the rest of the road, Zhao Zheng didn’t speak again and only looked out the curtain, it seemed like he was hiding something. Sometimes he would look out the corner of his eyes to spare glances at the rough man across him, with some strange intentions that Shi Tou could not decipher. Let’s not even mention how awkward Zhao Zheng felt, he didn’t feel well either. Zhao Zheng’s face was similar to his but the other was clearly a young master raised within a wealthy environment for high-classed people, so it was still easy to differentiate them. If this was described with metaphorical details; Constable Shi would be a piece of uncut jade while Zhao Zheng was a treasure jade that’d been carved diligently.

When they arrived at the Yamen, Shi Tou called for someone to send all the kids back first. But as he was about to go to Official Zhang’s estate, Zhao Zheng stopped him before taking out an item from his sleeve discreetly and passed it over to him. Constable Shi looked down to perceive it, it was a gold token. He immediately looked up at Zhao Zheng, only to see the relaxed look on his face. It seemed like bits of pride were leaking from his eyes from his identity reveal. Then Shi Tou kneeled like how the other wished while looking like he was panicking from fear. “I, I was too blind to not realize…” r5UCMw

“You may rise, there is no penalty for those who were not aware.” Zhao Zheng smiled with his hands behind his back. “Take this gold token and order Zhang Chunxian to come meet me quickly.”

Shi Tou hurriedly ordered people to welcome this buddha inside while he leaped onto a horse and sped to the magistrate’s official estate. As the cold wind scratched his face, an uneasy feeling arose from his heart. That person did seem wealthy and high-statused, but he never thought he would be from the imperial family. He remembered how Official Zhang was punished into becoming the official here that had little authority due to the fight for the throne. He didn’t know what that person came to meet Official Zhang for, what identity he had, or why he came here in person. Numbers of questions popped up in Shi Tou’s head, but he dismissed them quickly, focusing only on summoning Official Zhang over.

Official Zhang and the Old Ban Head were just currently playing chess together in the estate. In the past, these two old men weren’t compatible at all, but somehow, they’ve now formed a deep bond of friendship. Official Zhang also pitied that the Old Ban Head wouldn’t have someone to take care of his old self. He wanted to bring him to his estate so he could provide care for him, but the Old Ban Head didn’t accept his help. Even if the two argued quite often, their relationship was still excellent. The Old Ban Head was invited to the estate daily to chat and play chess with Official Zhang; Official Zhang’s wife decided to not pay them any mind as she played with her little grandson on the side.

Constable Shi arrived at the magistrate estate in utmost urgency, he discreetly showed Official Zhang the gold token and the other’s complexion changed before questioning, “Where is that person right now?” zX nbC

“He’s at the Yamen.”

“Alright, alright…I’ll get going right away. Old Shi, go and get ready to come with me.”

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

The Old Ban Head was smoking his bamboo pipe as his old eyes stared, then he followed along.

Under just half an incense stick’s burning time, the magistrate quickly hurried through the spring snow to the Yamen. Once they all saw Zhao Zheng seated above, they were all stunned for a bit; that person looked so much like Shi Tou’er. But good thing they were all experienced old men and didn’t show anything suspicious on the surface as they all immediately kowtowed in respect. Vfg4sO

The individual seated above waved his hand and openly exposed his own identity, he was the sixth son of the current Tianzi, Prince Jin, Zhao Zheng.

When Official Zhang was leaving the Capital, the sixth son of the imperial family was still training on Jiu Hua Mountain. He had been a disciple under Yuzhen Shanren ever since he was young and had to leave the trouble-infested imperial palace. He only returned to the Capital when he reached age twenty so it wasn’t odd that Official Zhang has never seen him before either.

Zhao Zheng exchanged a few words with him, then spoke of how the emperor had ordered for him to pass a message onto Zhang Ai Qing. The others naturally got the hint to excuse themselves.

Once they were out far enough, the Old Ban Head and Constable Shi sat together below an eave. The old man tapped on his bamboo pipe before saying, “That old crap is probably going to be summoned back.” InPoNO

“Old crap”, was used to address the magistrate, the two of them just loved to address each other that way.

Constable Shi didn’t answer, he fell deep into his thoughts as he blanked out while watching snow fall from the sky.

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

Truly, An Ling was full of dark horses, the Old Ban Head was an upper fourth-ranked head imperial guard during his younger days. Embodied with those skills, there was no surprise as to how he could still easily defend himself through some of Shi Tou’s attacks at the age of seventy. This fact was hidden securely by the Old Ban Head, if not for the young Shi Tou finding the blue horse jacket he wore back then in his house, then the old man would’ve taken that secret to his grave. The Old Ban Head was discharged due to an injury and transferred to An Ling to become the Head Constable. He got married here and had a kid which led him to settle down as well.

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In recent years, the Emperor had been ill. Yet he still hadn’t elected an heir and none of the princes were impotent either. Plus, the people of Lord Xiao’s estate were waiting on the sideline to take advantage of the princes’ scheming against each other. As for Zhao Zheng—the Prince Jin—he was summoned back to the Capital as a chess piece used to balance out the current situation. He was pampered with much love by his father the moment he returned to the Capital. Since he was also an unruly and slick individual, while not having any chance to be on the throne due to the fact that he’d already gone under a cultivation sect, all of this caused his brothers to compete to get him onto their sides. But alas, a dragon gives birth to nine sons, so obviously Zhao Zheng wasn’t anyone ordinary either.

Lord Xiao died from a sudden illness towards the end of last year and Lord Xiao’s estate became a mess immediately. In secret, the sixth prince gathered soldiers with him to investigate the estate and found evidence of Lord Xiao estate’s rebellion plan. Instantly, the Xiao estate was at a loss, in just a blink of an eye, this group of landed gentry that’d been standing for dozens of years disappeared off the face of the earth. The biggest weight was finally lifted from the Emperor’s chest and naturally, his dragon heart was in great joy. He made an exception for his sixth son’s return and gave him the title of Prince Jin, he gave him six thousand households worth of food supplies, which helped his name reach its highest peak then.

The fall of Xiao estate was definitely no coincidence. It was most likely a negotiated plan formulated by Zhao Zheng and a few of his brothers as all of them had the same goal of taking the heir spot. But they did not expect that this would create a path for Zhao Zheng, allowing him to return as a prince and giving him the best advantage in the competition.

Zhao Zheng visiting a small place like An Ling now was obviously because he wanted to ask Official Zhang to return with him. Zhang Chunxian had a clean record and was supported by the majority of the citizens, if he were to have Official Zhang’s support then he would have an even greater chance of stepping onto the throne. 4GN2TO

Shi Tou’s guesses weren’t off at all, but he could only sigh and asked, “Master, back then…which forest did you pick me up from?”

The Old Ban Head rarely mentioned this fact to him since he thought of Shi Tou’er as his actual son, he didn’t like to talk about such a thing all the time. The Old Ban Head was also shocked upon seeing Prince Jin’s appearance earlier, some unclear guesses born inside him as well and now, as if he already expected that Shi Tou would ask that specific question, he pointed towards a direction without any extra thoughts.

“The snow was so heavy that night, even the Heavens had snow coming down on it. I took your Shiniang to the neighboring district to visit her parents and ask them for her hand in marriage. On the way there, your Shiniang puked due to her pregnancy so we had to stop for her to rest a bit. Your Shiniang always loved to pick up the cats and dogs that she finds, but who knew this time she bought me back a huge child.”

The old ban laughed frivolously with squinted eyes, as if he could still hear his beloved wife’s voice. YzyGPk

Constable Shi remembered his Shiniang and smiled as well, he looked at the snow. “Then, Master, was there anything on me back then…that could’ve been left by my parents?”

The Old Ban Head rubbed his head while letting out a long sigh, Shi Tou’s heart was also led on little by little.

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“Old gramps, Brother Shi Tou!” A servant of the Yamen came searching for them right then.

“So you two were here, Official Zhang is asking to share a meal with you guys, he said it was that guest’s treat.” K4qfEZ

How could one refuse the prince’s invitation? Constable Shi looked at the sky color, he probably won’t make it back home by night, who knows if Ah-Jiang will be irritated…

Even though the two of them basically rubbed off on Official Zhang’s influence to be here, Prince Jin didn’t neglect anyone on the dining table. He was able to make the others have a positive impression towards him with just a few sentences. Not even Shi Tou could handle it easily. He’d gone dizzy after a few cups of the light wine that was offered to him. After the meal was over, Zhao Zheng announced that he would be staying in An Ling for a few days. It seemed like he had a really good impression of Shi Tou after this meal so he appointed him to show him around. Once finished, he even took off his thumb ring, wanting to reward it to this unfamiliar Head Constable.

Shi Tou obviously did not dare to take it and immediately kneeled as he tried to refuse, but Zhao Zheng merely walked over with an intimate smile. “I’ve heard of your heroic name even within the Capital. Since you’ve already been titled as the number one constable in the world by my father, this thumb ring isn’t a big deal. Constable Shi, you shouldn’t need to feel burdened by it.”

“Your Highness,  that is just this small person’s responsibility, this small person here would not dare to take credit──” 3v94Qy

“Alright, stop saying that. You take this and think of it as becoming friends with me, if you think of us as friends, then stop declining it.”

But Constable Shi raised his head to look at Zhao Zheng and answered firmly, “If we are friends, then it gives even more reason as to why I cannot accept it. Your Highness, please recall the order.”

This piece of thumb ring was crafted from high-classed crystal jade, there was not a slight bit of turbidity in it. Aside from the one worn on the current Tianzi’s hand, the only other existing one was awarded to Prince Jin. Zhao Zheng only did this to test the person in front of him, he didn’t expect that Shi Tou would be any different from those village boors. He wasn’t frightened or greedy for wealth, he showed neither inferiority or superiority, there was no way he was raised as a good seed like this by any normal citizen. A thought popped up in his head darkly even though he showed a smile on his face. He looked at Constable Shi in acknowledgment and spoke, “Then I shall not corner you any further. But you will have to keep your words and think of me as a friend.”

Shi Tou stopped for a bit. Seeing how sincere Zhao Zheng looked, an odd cordial feeling grew within him. He lowered his head to bow and said, “Yes.” bOg4B6

Prince Jin, Zhao Zheng wished to spend the holiday in An Ling and so the magistrate’s estate became super busy. Good thing that Zhao Zheng had been cultivating under discipline since he was young so he was a lot easier to please than any of those imperial commissioners that came here before.

When he said that he wanted Shi Tou to show him around, unexpectedly, he didn’t say it just to be polite.

Constable Shi reported to the magistrate’s estate every day before the sky was even lit, he forced himself to take Zhao Zheng around to play. Never did he think that a noble prince like Zhao Zheng would be harder to look after than those kids of his Yamen brothers. One moment, he wanted to see the Shadow Play that An Ling had, the next, he wanted to try Yu Chun Restaurant’s liquor. Those weren’t all, His Highness also…didn’t like his guards following him, and so he let out bold words, “The world’s number one constable is with me, is there still a need to be worried for my safety at all?”

Sigh, this had Shi Tou quite distressed. NIe804

Zhao Zheng seemed to have an unlimited amount of energy. He had the pretentious act of a prince at first, but now he seemed like a child who had been confined for ten years and was finally released. Anything remotely new was able to attract His Highness’ attention. Shi Tou could only sigh about himself having aboard a pirate ship, but a man’s word shall not be taken back. He could only try his hardest to stay by His Highness’ side, taking Zhao Zheng through the head of An Ling and down to its tail.

Aside from what Constable Shi had in mind, Zhao Zheng’s personality was naturally like this. He originally had other plans in mind, but out of his expectations, Shi Tou was very interesting. He took him to see and play with many things that he’d never seen in the Capital. After a few days, he had really gotten a lot closer to the Head Constable, but he himself had not realized this yet.

Today, the Head Constable took Prince Zhao to North Street, but that place didn’t seem to be a lively or interesting looking street. Zhao Zheng looked at the ancient street and waved his fan, even though he showed nothing on his face, his eyes expressed that he’d rather not walk there.

“Brother Zhao, you must not look down on this place. There are many fun things here that I can guarantee the Capital doesn’t have.” Shi Tou secretly laughed at him on the inside while being kind with his words on the surface. The two of them addressed each other as brothers when traveling outside, they already looked similar enough anyways. Though all the interrogations Constable Shi had received from others were almost enough for callus to grow in his ears. gL7KFR

Zhao Zheng was the one that said he wanted to check up on the citizen’s current situation first so, of course, he couldn’t back out now. He pointed with his fan. “Might as well go in and see.”

Most people that lived on this street were of the lower class, but the population here was not any smaller than the main market street’s. Shi Tou spoke as he walked, “All of us people from An Ling know that if you need to buy something, you should come to this street for it. Before, I’ve obviously taken you to the most flourishing location of this place, but if Brother Zhao really wants to understand how our lives in An Ling works, this road must be walked.”

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

The street was bustling and extraordinary with small stalls everywhere, yet they were also somehow organized properly. There were people yelling out sales, people trying to cut down prices. No matter if they were a male, female, old, or young here, this scene seemed like another side of An Ling. Both the people passing by and those in front of their own stalls called out intimately to Constable Shi when they saw him, saying “Shi Tou’er”, or “Brother Shi Tou”. Someone would stuff fresh pork to him then the next one would give him a fish. Before they even finished walking down the entire street, Constable Shi was already carrying two baskets in his hands.

Zhao Zheng restrained his eyes from looking, as if he had something in mind. “Looks like Brother Shi has a lot of prestige to the people here.” Pc6Tk1

“What prestige? This is just affection shown by everyone, even Official Zhang said that I was honestly a child raised by the whole An Ling. I’ve relied on these neighbors since I was young to get this big. As a decent person, I shouldn’t forget those who made my present possible. I have nothing to repay the great gratitudes I’ve received, so the only thing I can do is execute my job properly to keep all of An Ling peaceful.”

Zhao Zheng was unexpectedly stunned by his words for a moment. He went quiet as he walked, it seemed like he had something else on his mind. Shi Tou didn’t disturb him either, he could see that Zhao Zheng was definitely sly with many thoughts hidden deep inside. But no matter what thoughts the other had in mind for getting close to him, Shi Tou didn’t have anything valuable for the other to be concerned about, so he naturally did not worry about it. After many days of getting to know each other, he couldn’t help but think of him as his own brother. He knew that Zhao Zheng’s nature wasn’t bad, his actions were just related to his position so he couldn’t control it.

Zhao Zheng’s eyes were caught by something halfway through the walk. Shi Tou looked over at the direction that he had his eyes on to see an old man playing tricks with brown sugar in the corner. A few kids with no guardians gathered on the side, they watched the man draw a dragon as if it was a magic show.

Zhao Zheng definitely thought that was new and interesting but did not dare to step in front because of his status. But Shi Tou smacked his shoulder and said, “Just get over there if you want to watch, don’t keep hesitating.” m6ddXn

As a noble prince with great power sources behind him, usually others would be the ones trying to get on his good side, but no one had dared to treat him like how Shi Tou just did. Zhao Zheng was stunned at first, but then he rubbed his nose, a small habit of Shi Tou’s that he had learned.

“Hey, Old Liu, draw some fresh new pieces for us. This brother came from the Northern Region so he’s never seen this before.”

The candy-painting old man had a bit of hearing loss but his eyes were sharper while also having a pair of hands that were even more delicate with its work. He smiled at Shi Tou’er kindly then looked at Zhao Zheng behind him. He said a few words nicely before showing many tricks with his two dirty hands in front of the prince. In just a little bit, an almost alive dragon was drawn.

Constable Shi passed the dragon into Zhao Zheng’s hand and Zhao Zheng received it in a very serious manner, he observed it with great interest. Then he saw that the old man had quickly drawn another one, raising it up to Constable Shi shakily. “Shi Tou’er, for, for you to eat. Good, good child…” The old man wanted to pet the Head Constable’s head just like how he did in the past, so Shi Tou bent over for the old man to pet his head easily. JKZGa0

Zhao Zheng watched from the side and an odd feeling grew from his heart; it was a complicated feeling, mixed with envy, jealousy, and others together. This thought only flashed by Zhao Zheng’s mind for an instant, yet it had him shocked from how ridiculous it was that he couldn’t hold the dragon in his hands properly, allowing it to fall onto the ground, and be stained by dust.

As the dragon landed on the ground, Zhao Zheng’s eyebrows slowly furrowed from some kind of unknown thought.

Shi Tou turned around to see, he looked at it in pity then handed over the dragon in his hand to Zhao Zheng. His action was so open-hearted and unperturbed. “Hold it properly this time, there won’t be anymore if you drop it again.”

But Zhao Zheng did not take it. His black pupils stared at Constable Shi, it was as if he was looking at another him. Tf4MSE

Shi Tou was slightly stunted from his look and he suddenly remembered that the individual in front of him wasn’t just Zhao Zheng, he was also Prince Jin. An almighty being from the imperial family. Then Zhao Zheng proceeded to smile, just like the time of their first meeting. It seemed like he was back to being the prince high above everyone else again, all the other commoners in his eyes were mere clouds and mud.

“Constable Shi, you can keep it for yourself. I am quite tired so let’s stop here for today.”

Constable Shi looked around to make sure that no one was paying attention to them and lowered his head to give a hand bow. “Yes.”

Zhao Zheng wasn’t hurrying back though, instead, he had intentions of going to Constable Shi’s place for a little while. The mighty Prince Jin had shown interest in his crappy house, so how could Constable Shi dare reject him? After a few tries of not being able to talk him out of it, he could only lead the prince towards the South Lane as he carried the baskets. 2zycLv

Shi Tou’s small crappy house hadn’t changed much in the past few years, the two little unsightly yards were still there. He respectfully welcomed Zhao Zheng to sit down and quickly served a cup of hot tea to him. Zhao Zheng left it on the table then observed the small place as he smiled. “Though this is a humble-looking place, it is also heartwarming. Constable Shi’s place sure is organized well.”

“Your Highness, there’s no need to compliment such a place. I merely seek for…a place that could block the wind and rain.” Shi Tou was still standing since the prince had not given him the order to sit, so he couldn’t act rudely even if this was his place.

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

Zhao Zheng chatted with him for a bit then suddenly made a turn in the conversation. “Earlier you said that you were raised by all of An Ling…”

“Oh, that’s correct. To be honest with Your Highness, I didn’t have a father or mother when I was young. I was picked up from a mountain forest by the Old Ban Head. I had good luck since birth so even though there were many beasts at night in the mountain forest, I had not been taken by any of those bastards.” PySjLm

Zhao Zheng seemed to be very interested in his life as he planned to continue asking for more details, but unexpectedly a breeze of chilly wind blew over them. The door had been pushed open softly by someone.

He then saw a person in white clothing who held an oil-paper umbrella while standing out in the snow, he heard Shi Tou calling out, “Ah-Jiang.”

Zhao Zheng originally wanted to see what the person looked like, but for some reason, his head started hurting, as if it was splitting apart. He held his head and it slowly calmed down for a bit, yet when he looked in front of him again, the sharp pain invaded him again!

“Your Highness!” The two servants beside him, who were like his shadow immediately supported him. Shi Tou saw the other’s pale white face and was shocked too. He was also going to help support him but just as he got a little closer, Zhao Zheng’s head ended up hurting even worse. R43X0W

“Lord Shi, we shall take His Highness back to the magistrate’s estate first. His Highness’s chronic illness has probably been triggered again.”  The two servants blew a whistle towards a direction and Prince Jin’s guards leaped out of nowhere, scaring Shi Tou even more.

He watched as they supported the prince out, hurriedly onto the horse carriage. Yet no one had noticed the white-clothed man standing beside the door.

Shi Tou returned to his house after he’d finished sending them away and saw Ah-Jiang sitting in front of the table.

He sat across from Ah-Jiang exhaustedly, he massaged his own shoulder as he sighed. “Everything was fine just now, how did he suddenly get a headache?” His eyes slowly turned towards Ah-Jiang, only to see the malicious ghost purely sitting there quietly, not saying anything, not even a blink. tksojA

Shi Tou gulped. “Could it be, Ah-Jiang you…”

The cold yet statuesque face looked at Shi Tou’er with eyes that resembled a deep pond of water. He said, “That person could see me.”

This alarmed Shi Tou. Those things of ghosts and gods all had their own rules and such, so in order to avoid other troubles occurring, Ah-Jiang usually wouldn’t let other people see him easily.

“How could he see you?” Shi Tou spoke in shock. frVU6p

Ah-Jiang replied, “He had a layer of discreet protection spell on him, he probably has some kind of master backing him up.”

He furrowed his brows. “That spell was a little odd though. What I saw was not a clean aura of the righteous way, it might’ve been demonic. Little Rock, it’s best that you distance yourself from him as much as possible.”

Shi Tou blinked as his mouth gapped from him not knowing what to say. He thought to himself, “Ah-Jiang, oh Ah-Jiang, you’re saying that he has a demonic aura on him, but why don’t you think about me, who is waited by a malicious ghost at home every single day. Which one of us is more demonic?”

“We can talk about this later, but Ah-Jiang, you have to be honest with me first. When his head was hurting earlier…was it you?” Shi Tou waved his hand as he caught the important part to get a hold of Ah-Jiang, that way he wouldn’t be able to fool him so easily. 6npUeu

He merely saw the Ghost Lord of the East speak softly while smiling, “In the past few days, that mortal had used the reason of work to take up me and my husband’s time in broad daylight. He took my seat and used my cup as well. If I was late by about another hour, would that guy have climbed onto my bed too?”

“Non-nonsense! Complete nonsense!” Constable Shi was extremely angered as he pointed at Ah-Jiang with a trembling finger, yet he still calmed down in the end.

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

Ah-Jiang had the right to be unhappy. The two of them had originally made plans of going to watch the snow together at the river this spring. Shi Tou was even going to ask for a two-day break so that they could go hang out on the streets together. Yet, even thought Constable Shi did accomplish those plans, but it was with another man. Good thing that Ah-Jiang was generous enough though If it were his shidis’ wives, they would’ve had them kneel on an abacus, pick different colored beans apart, and sleep in the kitchen!

Shi Tou sighed a few times, when he looked at Ah-Jiang’s unchanged cold face, he knew this was probably not going to be resolved so simply. He carefully went over and held onto Ah-Jiang’s hand affectionately, he touched and squeezed it, acting pitifully. “Don’t be mad Ah-Jiang…how about, tonight…I’ll listen to everything you say?” tdR9ZB

Ah-Jiang’s eyebrows moved in interest, he turned to ask, “Are you serious?”

“Serious, serious, it couldn’t be any more serious!” As long as Ah-Jiang won’t continue to look at him with such a cold face, kneeling on an abacus, picking beans apart, and sleeping in the kitchen, they’re all nothing!

On another note, Shi Tou’er lowered his head with a red face, he didn’t really dislike being intimate with Ah-Jiang. It was just, just…a man telling another man to do this or that, basically, no matter how big Shi Tou’s heart was, he couldn’t just immediately get down and spread his legs, right?

The corner of Ah-Jiang’s mouth curved up, Shi Tou’s head was ringing as he looked. If all malicious ghosts were that gorgeous, he probably wouldn’t mind being dead either. He thought Ah-Jiang was going to drag him into the bedroom when he saw him come over, but as his brain was getting heated, he was suddenly pushed down. Everything on the table was shoved to the ground, crash noises ringing about. YHKQos

Shi Tou blinked as he struggled in discomfort from the many cold pecks that fell on his face, and he said in embarrassment, “Go to the bedroom.”

Yet Ah-Jiang only squinted his eyes. “Just earlier, Little Rock said he would listen to everything his husband says tonight.”

Shi Tou didn’t think he’d dug a grave for himself, he didn’t even have the time to regret before a rainstorm hit him. On that table, Ah-Jiang had done him in many different positions. Ah-Jiang was going mad when kissing wasn’t enough, he started biting him. Marks were imprinted all over his neck, thighs, and back. Yet he was still not satisfied. Ah-Jiang lifted one of his legs up onto his shoulder as his waist kept thrusting, his movements becoming harsher and harsher with each penetration. He spoke coldly, “You’re not allowed to be that nice to him, not to him, not to anyone else either…you’re mine, Little Rock, say you’re mine only…”

After Constable Shi had been devoured from head to toe, he laid on the bed wearily. He didn’t want to lift even a single finger. qu3Klb

Ah-Jiang laid by his side and stroked Little Rock’s back, as if he was cooing him to sleep.

Shi Tou said sleepily, “Ah-Jiang, did you notice earlier, that Prince Jin, he looked like we came from the same mother’s womb.” He didn’t dare to say those words to anyone else so he could only share it with Ah-Jiang.

But Ah-Jiang said, “He’s not even half as similar as you.”

Shi Tou smiled, “Ah-Jiang, you’re blind.” xdoC5X

Ah-Jiang opened his mouth but didn’t say anything.

Not everyone’s life matters could be seen clearly by the ghosts and gods, there were some extraordinary lives like Shi Tou’s. Which not even Ah-Jiang could see through clearly and give a definite judgment.

Zhao Zheng was like that as well. But it seemed like his heart was set on the wrong path, it was possible that he might cause a great disaster.

But Heavens’ intentions could not be known. DAz7gc

Thunder rang and Ah-Jiang raised his head gloomily, he clenched his first discreetly.

One could not go against Heaven’s will. If he were to do so, then there would be eighty-eight lighting strikes from Heavens waiting for him. Just to be struck by one would disperse his soul, separating him from Little Rock forever.

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Ah-Jiang leaned in and spoke again, “Little Rock, the further you distance yourself away from him, the better. The further, the better…”

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Translator's Note

Ai Qing (爱卿) – literally means “(to) love / a high ranked official” and it is the term emperors used to address the officials that they liked.

Translator's Note

upper fourth-ranked (正四品) – there are nine ranks of officials in the imperial palace and within each rank there are two levels that could be understood as “lower” and “upper.” The rank from four and up are usually considered the higher ranks.

Translator's Note

Horse jacket (马褂) – Literal translation and it is one of the clothing that soldiers wore in the early stage of Qing Dynasty.

Translator's Note

“a dragon gives birth to nine sons” (龙生九子) – Literal translation and the dragon it’s used to describe the Emperor, the phrase was put there quite awkwardly but it was there to basically describe how even if Zhao Zheng supposedly didn’t have a chance to win the throne (since he was in a cultivating sect), he is still a son of a dragon to which cannot be underestimated.

Translator's Note

Return (还俗) – This term is specifically used on monks who give up on being monks and go back to their normal lives, so here the emperor is basically saying that he is allowed to quit the immortal cultivation and come back as a prince who can have a chance of winning the throne.

Translator's Note

Shiniang (师娘) – Literally translates to “senior (apprentice) mother”, used to address one’s Master’s (shifu/shizun) wife.

Translator's Note

thumb ring (扳指) – This type of ring was specifically designed to protect the thumb during archery, and was used as a reward in this scene since they’re usually made out of jade, so it was valuable too.

Translator's Note

Shadow Play (皮影戏) – “an ancient form of storytelling and entertainment which uses flat articulated cut-out figures that are held between a source of light and a translucent screen or scrim.” https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_play

Leave a Comment

12 comments

  1. it’s sooooooooooooo good!!! Thanks for picking this up 😍😍😍 I can’t wait to read the whole book!!!!!!!!!

    How many chapter does this one have? HELP!!! I’m so curious?!!!! 😫😫😫

  2. Naturally! Go away from that creepy prince! Ever since he first appeared, I’ve had an eerie, horrible feeling about him! Ah, please let Xiao Shi Tou be safe….

  3. The old ban laughed sillily with squinted eyes, as if he could still hear his beloved wife’s voice.

    There’s no such word….

    • Ah, I did do a search on the word and it is technically considered an English word for its long-standing use. And with no source denying it, I decided that it’d be fine.

      Though I can certainly see your point and how it can be uncomfortable to read. I just realized that changing it to “frivolously” would work better, so thank you for pointing it out!